Shustoke Reservoir lies two miles east of Coleshill on the B4114 Coleshill to Furnace End Road, south of the River Bourne. At 1.5km west to east, the main pool is only 400m at its widest point. The River Bourne feeds the smaller eastern pool (8 acres), the water is then transferred to the main reservoir (92 acres). Disturbance at weekends can be a problem.

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Another quiet day this morning. The pools held 1 Gadwall, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Herring Gull dropped in briefly. There was some visable migration taking place but the light rain resulted in numbers of birds on the move being much lower than that of the previous few days. Birds noted were 3 House Martin, 2 Swallow and 3 Meadow Pipit. Small tit flocks around the pools held at least 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Coal tit. Also of note were 4 Mistle Thrush, Kingfisher and 2 Bullfinch.L Johnson...

Monday, 29 September 2008

The two pools were again quiet today with only a Common Sandpiper of note. The clear weather this morning again produced some visable migration with 5 Swallow, 2 Skylark and a total of 45 Meadow pipit over. A minimum of 8 Siskin were scattered around the area, although the total number was probably much higher. A nice surprise was a female Teal, present on a small section of river just east of the fishing lodge. Other species of note were 14 Red legged Partridge, 2 Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Coal tit, 2 Jay, Song thrush, Treecreeper and 7 Goldcrest.Lee Johnson...

Sunday, 28 September 2008

The pools were relatively quiet again today. Yesterdays Common Sandpiper was still present and 4 Gadwall dropped in briefly. There was some visable migration taking place again with 1 Golden Plover, 6+ Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow and 3 Skylark all flying south over the main pool. Also of note was 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Tree Sparrow, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Bullfinch and a Treecreeper. Two seperate Siskin flocks were present totaling at least 35 birds.L Johnson...

Saturday, 27 September 2008

The heavy fog this morning serverely hampered the chances of seeing very much. However 4 Grey Wagtail were present infront of the car park, with 13 Pied Wagtail seen on the shoreline around the main pool. 27 Meadow Pipit flew over with at least 2 Siskin heard flying over. 3 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were also heard around the main pool. Once the fog began to lift enough to see the pool the Cormorant flock became visable with at least 100 birds. The fog also meant that last nights Gull roost lingered on the main pool for a bit longer this morning. 50+ LBB Gull were present with 17 Herring. Finally a Common Sandpiper was present by the sailing club jetty.L Johnson...

Monday, 22 September 2008

An exceptional count of 162 Cormorant early this morning was a major increase on the counts of the previous few weeks. Aside from the Cormorants the two pools were again quiet with 3 Greylag Geese, 19 LBB Gull and 2 Grey Heron the only species of note. A few migrants passed over before the clouds rolled in, these included 25 Meadow pipit, 24 Siskin and just 1 Swallow. A total of 6 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk were present around the area. Other species of note were; 2 Chiffchaff, 1 (male) Blackcap, 2+ Jay, Kingfisher, Coal tit, Bullfinch, 2 Song thrush and Green Woodpecker. The only butterflys present were Large White and 1 Small Copper, with a single Migrant Hawker being the only dragonfly.L Johnson...

Sunday, 21 September 2008

Nothing new at the pool today, 3 Common Sandpipers in front of the sailing club,a Hobby went over heading north, 67 Cormorant fishing and 2 Buzzards over north side. 12 Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap noted around the pool, and 37 L B B Gulls loafing in the middle. A good number of Little Grebe with 38 being noted which is about average for this time of the year. The Canada Geese flock has now moved on but the 3 Greylags still remain. 8 Siskin were feeding along the stream between the two pools, and Nuthatch heard there but not seen. And finally 18 Meadow Pipits headed south over the car park.S Seal....

Late News from yesterdayA report of two Dunlin sized birds flying from sailing club shore yesterday with white rumps, (Curlew Sandpipers) ?.

Friday, 19 September 2008

This morning saw another good passage of Meadow pipits, with 24 over all heading south. Other visable migrants included 2 House Martin and 2 Song thrush. 19 Pied Wagtail were present in the ploughed fields, with at least 2 Grey Wagtail along the river. Cormorant numbers increased yet again this morning to a total of 71. A Siskin flock was present in the alders on the north side of the small pool, although difficult to count the flock held a minimum of 30 individuals. Also present this morning were 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, Kingfisher, Willow Tit and 5 Bullfinch. With the warm sunny weather a few butterfly were around today including 1 Small Copper and a Comma. Migrant Hawker was also noted.L Johnson...

Thursday, 18 September 2008

The main pool its self was very quiet this morning with 3 Greylag geese, 1 Gadwall and a total of 59 Cormorant. The ploughed fields to the west of the pool held 3 Phesant, 9 Pied Wagtail and 7 Red legged Partridge. A Goldcrest was present in the car park with good numbers of other passarines scattered along the river and around the small pool including 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree Sparow, 1 Willow tit, Bullfinch. Jay, Nuthatch and Kingfisher were also present in the area. Due to the good weather this morning there was notable visable migration taking place, counts of birds included 18 Meadow pipit, 12 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Siskin, 2 Skylark and a Mistle thrush. The best bird to pass over the pool this morning however was a Greenshank, which called several times as it circled high over the pool before moving off.L Johnson...

Monday, 15 September 2008

During a quick scan upon arrival at the pool this morning a flock of 19 siskin flew over the pool and off in a southerly direction. Whilst walking along the north shore i noticed a wader flying west low over the water, the bird then turned north and gained height, flying into a small flock of jackdaw which briefly mobbed it. The bird then turned back and circled low over the pool when it became obvious it was a Curlew sandpiper. After circling the pool it gained height once again and headed off in an easterly direction. This represents the first record of Curlew Sandpiper at the site. Also of note this morning were 7 Meadow Pipit (over south), 3 Buzzard, Little Owl and 4 Greylag Geese.L Johnson...

Sunday, 14 September 2008

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Hobby.Buzzard.Swallow juvenile.An Osprey flew west over the pool at 11-00, 2 Hobby were commuting to and from there usuall site, 6 Buzzards circled over the north side of the pool and a Sparrowhawk over twice. On the pool 1 Common Tern, 17 Shoveler and 32 Cormorants. The finch flock to the left of the car park still holds around 30 Goldfinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler and just 1 Lesser Whitethroat noted today.S Seal...

Friday, 12 September 2008

With clear skys last night the Grey Phalarope was no where to be seen this morning. One juvenile Common Tern put in an apperrence mid morning but soon departed. Highlight was two Lesser Whitethroats, showing well feeding on berrys along the hedgeline to the west of the car park. A male Blackcap was also present in the same area and 8 Chiffchaff were scattered around the main pool. 2 Hobby and a Raven flew over all heading east. Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were present along the river. Gadwall numbers on the pools had dropped down again to 3 birds with only 15 Shovler present. Finaly there was a notable count of Red Legged Partrige, with 7 birds noted in a ploughed field to the west of the main pool.L Johnson...

Thursday, 11 September 2008

Grey Phalarope.Grey Phalarope.Grey Phalarope still on the north shore this morning and showing very well. This bird has finally given its self up to photographers after days out of range, this morning it was just feet away. Two Black Terns arrived at around 10-40, and 3 Siskins flew over going south west. Their are good numbers of Swallows and Martins hawking over the water. Four Black Terns had arrived by the time i got back this afternoon, also a juvenile Arctic Tern had flown through, and the Grey Phalarope was showing very well in the afternoon sunshine.S Seal, D Hutton, L Johnson.

Yet again another productive walk around the two pools this morning. The Grey Phalarope was still present along the northern shoreline. Upon arival a Wheatear was on the bank at the western end, by mid afternoon it was feeding in the marshy field to the west of the main pool. An Osprey flew west over the main pool at midday before drifting off towards Ladywalk. 2 Common Terns (adult and juv) were present all morning with an adult Arctic Tern flying straight through at around 11am. A Willow Tit was present along the railwayline to the north of the small pool, with Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch and Jay also around the small pool. Cormorant numbers have increased again to a total of 37, Gadwall also increased slightly to 4 birds. Shoveler numbers had however dropped this morning to 53, Mute Swans numbered 14. After an absence of a few weeks there were 2 Tree Sparrow again at the back of the sailing club, with a Whitethroat in the same hedgerow. A Grey Wagtail flew over.L Johnson...

The Grey Phalarope was still present this morning, once again well away from the shoreline at the western end.

4 Black Terns (2 adult, 2 juvenile) were also present, interestingly one of the adults had only just began moulting out of summer plumage. A Hobby again tried to make a pass at the swallows and martins around the car park but was unsuccessfull. A Common Sandpiper was noted on the northern shoreline. 1 Gadwall, 1 Pochard and 2 Grey Wagtail were also present.

Monday, 8 September 2008

Sand Martin.Swallow.A few things had cleared out overnight with only the Grey Phalarope and the 1st winter Little Gull left this morning. Other birds of note were 5 Yellow Wagatils, Hobby, Teal, R L Partridge, good numbers of Martins and Swallows, and a movement of Meadow Pipits. 34 Little Grebe were around the pool along with a good number of Great Crested aswell. 7 Greylag Geese flew south mid-morning, and the Canada flock arrived with around 300 birds. 15 Cormorants were fishing around the sailing club and 12 LBB Gulls mainly juveniles were bathing in the middle.S Seal, L Johnson, D Hutton.

Sunday, 7 September 2008

A selection of some of my images taken today at the pool.S Seal.Little Gull juvenile.Little Gull juvenile.Little Gull juvenile.Black and Arctic Tern juveniles.Arctic and Black Tern juveniles.Black Tern juvenile.Common Scoter drake.Grey Phalarope.Another cracking afternoon , arrived just after mid-day to find the Grey Pahlarope was even closer than this morning so straight into action with the camera. Also present a supporting cast of 2 1st winter Little Gulls, 1 Arctic Tern, 2 Black Terns and 4 Common Terns Yellow Wagtail, a very close Hobby , Perigrine and to finish the day off a drake Common Scoter at the eastern end. Over 65 birders visited the pool today, nice to see some many old friends and made many new ones, nice to see you all there. S Seal, D Hutton. et al.

Grey Phalarope...photos by S Seal..Very wet again this morning but the Grey Phalarope is still present just off the car park, not as confiding as normal Phalaropes this bird spends most of its time well away from the shore line. Also present this morning 2 Black and 2 Common Tern.S Seal, L Johnson, D Hutton.

Saturday, 6 September 2008

Grey Phalarope above, and a very wet looking Swallow below...Photos by D Hutton.Another visit to the pool this afternoon proved to be very productive again, with 56 Common Terns now in also the 2 Blacks from this morning still present and the Grey Phalarope still opposite the car park. At around 2-15 an Osprey made a brief appearance as it came in from the direction of Ladywalk and drifted off low towards Coleshill. The weather is not fit to be out in but both Lee and Dave took the oppertunity to photograph the Phalarope , guys you must be mad.S Seal, L Johnson, D Hutton.

Another good morning at the pool this morning, if you were willing to put up with a soaking. The Grey Phalarope was still present at the western end of the pool, although it tends to stay well out from the shoreline. 5 Arctic Tern flew through mid morning, with 2 Juvenile Black Tern coming in at 10:45 and 10 Common Tern dropping in at 11:00am. A Common Sandpiper was present moving between the two pools and a Red legged Partridge was calling from a field at the western end. Shovler numbers were up again to 60, most of which had departed by the time the sailing boats came out. A high count of 26 Cormorant and a Hobby were also noted.L Johnson, S Seal, D Hutton...

Midday: A group of 29 terns dropped into the pool, at least 8 of which were Arctic.T Perrins, S Haynes...

Friday, 5 September 2008

Grey Phalarope.Grey Phalarope .Grey Phalarope.As Steve said there certainly was time for a sea bird to drop in...in fact two and a half hours after writing that, Pete Softley found a juvenile Grey Phalarope on the main pool, just off the car park. The bird was still present at 19:45 this evening, loosely associating with the BH gulls just past the green netting at the western end. At 19:30 a group of 5 Arctic Tern (1 adult and 4 juvenile) flew though. Also of note were 12 Gadwall, which flew in from the direction of Ladywalk, circled the pool and departed again. Shoveler numbers were down to 10. Two Hobbys were also seen at dusk.L Johnson, S Seal, T Perrins, G Rowling et al...

With this weather front moving through i visited a very wet Shustoke this lunch time, with the anticipation of finding a sea bird. Nearby counties already have Sabines Gulls, Grey Phalaropes and Sandwich Terns , so its well worth getting wet to find something. Good numbers of Martins and Swallows were hawking low over the pool well over a 1,000 birds, House Martins being the most abundant. 51 Shoveler circled the pool several times before 17 landed and the rest flew off towards Ladywalk. Yellow Wagtail and Common Sandpiper were on the eastern shore and 27 L B B Gulls sat in the middle and 9 Cormorants were on the pontoon. Other wise its very quite, but still time for that sea bird to arrive.S Seal...

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

There was another good count of Shovler on the main pool this morning with 12 birds present early on, all but 1 had however departed by 9.00 in the direction of Ladywalk. Other than this the pool was very quiet with 15 Cormorant the only other notable count. A single Pochard was present, but there was no sign of any Gadwall today. Even the area around the fishing pool was relativly quiet with 1 GS Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 5 Chiffchaff and 3 Bullfinch.L Johnson...

Monday, 1 September 2008

A brief visit to the pool at 16:00, after some heavy showers. Recently ploughed fields in the area seem to be increasing the amount of gulls present over the past few days, this afternoon numbers were up again with 300+ BH Gull, 57 LBB Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Small groups of Duck were noted flying around to the west (possibly disturbed from Ladywalk or Coleshill GP), after a short time some of these groups came down on the pool, producing a total of 11 Shovler. Two Gadwall were also noted.L Johnson...

A good start to the month when five Black-tailed Godwits flew in from the west at 10-20 this morning. They were on the ground for only a matter of seconds before being flushed by a dog walker, they flew towards the eastern end circled the pool once then flew of high to the east.This is only the second record for this species at the pool, the previous being in July 2006.